​If one was to go on holiday, they could take the time to try different types of food, or they could continue to eat the food that they are familiar with. If the former was to occur, it could be said that they are embracing their time away.

Yet if the latter was to take place, it could be said that they are not completely embracing their time away. Now, while this could be because they have tried the food before, this might not be the case.

The Past

At one point in their life, there may have been a time where they tried something similar and this experience would then have caused them to develop a certain outlook. Therefore, whenever they come across the same food or something similar, it will be normal for them to have a certain response.

There is no need for them to think, and this will save them a lot of energy. The downside to this is that even though something looks the same, it doesn’t mean it is the same, and just because they didn’t like something at one point in time, it doesn’t mean they won’t like it at another.

Missing out

Therefore, even though this approach will allow then to conserve energy, there is also the chance that it will cause them to miss out. Instead of being able to embrace the food that is on offer, they will be defined by the experiences they had with food in the past.

While this example could be seen as fairly trivial, what it shows is how easy it can be for the mind to take over. When this happens, one is going to see the present as though it is the past, and it is then not going to be possible for them to be present.

Disconnected

One way of looking at this would be to say that one will be disconnected from life and connected to what is taking place in their mind. But although this is likely to be what feels comfortable, it is not going to be the most fulfilling option.

The part of them that wants to reach out and to experience life to the fullest is going to be overlooked. However, unless one is aware of what is taking place, they are going to continue to experience life in the same way.

Out of Balance

It can then be normal for them to be controlled by their emotions or for them to come to rash conclusions. In this case, it could be said that they are like a small boat in the sea as opposed to a big ship.

If they had developed the ability to detach from what is taking place within them and to observe what is taking place, it would make it easier for them to decide if their inner responses are appropriate. Instead of living a reactive life, it will give them the ability to act consciously.

The Need

This is something that is only going to take place if one has the need to experience life differently. When this need doesn’t exist, they could be only too happy to stay as they are, and it will then be normal for them to stay the same.

Yet even though this is something that can stop one form eating food without even trying it, it can also have a negative effect on other areas of their life. As a result of this, they are not only going to be disconnected from food; they will also be disconnected from their fellow human beings.

A Bigger Impact

If one was to avoid certain foods, it might not have much of an impact on their life; they can simply find other food to eat. At the same time, if they were to have similar response to people, they could end up cutting themselves off from others.

For example, when one comes across people who eat a certain type of food or enjoys a certain activity, they could say that they are ‘strange’. Through having this outlook, it could cause them to avoid them, but if they were to get close to them, they could end up being disrespectful.

A Label

This will show that they have given them a label, and it is then not going to be possible for them see the other people. They have put them in a box and it then won’t matter what they are like as human beings.

In fact, one will have stopped themselves from finding out what they are like, but this doesn’t mean they will realise this. Once they have given someone a label, they could carry on with the rest of their life.

Multifaceted

Ultimately, human beings are multifaceted, and when one focuses on one aspect, they are going to overlook the other parts of them. It can also stop them form being able to grow as a human being.

Yet if they were to have an open mind and to find out more about person instead of labelling them, it will give them the chance to grow. This will then give them the chance to connect to others and this means their life is going to be far more fulfilling.

Protection

Although being reactive and labelling others can allow one to save energy, it can also be way for them to avoid pain. If they were to put a label to one side, they could end up having to face something they have been trying to avoid.

For example, one could call someone ‘strange’ as a way for one to avoid a part of themselves that they don’t like. Through projecting this part onto others, it then allows them to keep this part of them at bay.
​Awareness

If one finds that they have the tendency to be reactive and to label others, and they want to change this, it will be important for them to develop the ability to observe what is taking place within them. This is something that can occur through engaging in some kind of meditation.

Along with this, what can also make it difficult for one to be present is when they are carrying an emotional build-up. The build-up within them can be processed with the assistance of a therapist and/or a support group.

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